Inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

An inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety system generally having one or more inflatable apparatus attached to a belt or other suitable wearable support structure that can be worn by a user. When the user falls, one or more directional inertia activated inflation devices trigger one or more inflators to inflate the one or more inflatable apparatus such that they protect the falling user in the given situation. The inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety system can be used for work that is performed at dangerous heights, for example pipe rack or scaffolding construction, as well as to protect people who are prone to falling, or any situation in which protection from falling could be desired.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present nonprovisional application claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/683,485 filed Aug. 15, 2012which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to fall arrest and fall protection systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safetyand Health Administration (OSHA), an estimated 2.3 million constructionworkers, or 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds.Additionally, many jobs include elevated worksites other than scaffolds.Protecting these workers from elevated work site-related accidents mayprevent some of the 4,500 injuries and over 60 deaths every year in theUnited States.

For this reason, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations requiresfall arrest systems for workers that work on scaffolding or at certainheights. Fall arrest systems are meant to aid in safely stopping aperson that is already falling and can come in the form of general fallarrest or personal fall arrest. Fall arrest does not necessarilytranslate into fall protection.

Several different fall arrest systems exist, such as railings, safetynets and various forms of lifelines, for example, a full body harnessand lanyards.

When someone attached to one of these lifelines falls, the lifelinestops the person at a certain distance. This distance can be controlledby the length of the lanyards to prevent the person from hitting theground. Lifelines require an anchor, and/or an extensive array ofoverhead safety wires to provide for the attachment of full body harnesslanyards above a work site, and workers have to work around the lanyardsas they move. By its intrinsic nature, the full body harness withlanyards actually applies a horizontal component to the restrainingforce in most circumstances, which pulls the worker toward pipes orstructure as it arrests his fall. Additionally, once taut, a lanyardmust extend about six feet in arresting the workers fall, allowing historso and head to pass between the pipes or structural elements that heis working on as his fall is arrested, so often times a worker that issaved by the fall arrest system will still suffer injuries, particularlyhead injuries, as a result of hitting obstacles during the fall. Some ofthese injuries may be fatal. While effectively arresting the fall, thistype of fall arrest system does not provide effective fall protection.

The lanyards system also requires retracing steps, back to the overheadattachment point, and reattachment to the next overhead lanyardsattachment point.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are notnecessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches describedin this section are not prior art to the claims in this application andare not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the personal protection apparatus for preventing orsubstantially reducing injury to a wearer of said apparatus experiencinga fall or similar event, the personal protection apparatus comprises:

a wearable support structure associated with an inflatable apparatus,said inflatable apparatus comprising:

-   -   an outer containment comprising a low-elasticity flexible        material, said outer containment inflatable to a substantially        fixed volume,    -   an inner bladder inside of said outer containment, said inner        bladder comprising an elastic material configured to receive a        volume of pressurized gas,    -   an inflator connected to said inner bladder configured to        inflate said inner bladder with said volume of pressurized gas,        and    -   an activation mechanism system sensing accelerations and in        response to a vertically downward component of acceleration        exceeding a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period        of time, said activation mechanism system activates said        inflator to generate said volume of pressurized gas into said        inner bladder, said inner bladder expanding to said        substantially fixed volume of said outer containment.

In some embodiments, the activation mechanism system comprises:

an directional accelerometer sensing accelerations,

an electrical connection to said inflator configured to activate saidinflator in response to a vertically downward component of accelerationexceeding a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time,and

an independent and portable power source configured to provide power tosaid activation mechanism system.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus comprising a plurality ofinner bladders, said activation mechanism system configured to inflatesaid plurality of inner bladders in a specific and timed progression.

In some embodiments, the outer containment expands to said substantiallyfixed volume, at which point increased pressure does not substantiallyincrease said substantially fixed volume of said outer containment untila yield point of said low-elasticity flexible material is reached.

In some embodiments, the low-elasticity flexible material of said outercontainment is puncture-resistant.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated andin either a rolled or folded condition, and in response to a verticallydownward component of acceleration exceeding a predetermined thresholdfor a predetermined period of time, said activation mechanism systemactivates said inflator to generate a volume of pressurized gas intosaid inner bladder, said inner bladder expanding to said substantiallyfixed volume of said outer containment, thereby inflating saidinflatable apparatus to an inflated and either unrolled or unfoldedcondition.

In some embodiments, the pressurized gas is sealed inside said innerbladder after inflation.

In some embodiments, the activation mechanism system is associated witha transponder that communicates a position of said personal protectionapparatus.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated andin either a rolled or folded condition, said wearable support structureand said associated inflatable apparatus is contoured and arranged toprovide the wearer with unobstructed freedom of movement, said wearablesupport structure further comprising an elastic portion, a plurality ofback support staves providing lumbar back support to minimize backfatigue for the wearer, and shoulder straps or crotch straps to securesaid wearable support structure.

In some embodiments, the inflator is one or more of the following:

a compressed gas inflator;

an inflator comprising a cartridge filled with a plurality of compounds,when mixed, said plurality of compounds generates gas; or

a solid-propellant inflator.

In some embodiments, the inflator generates said volume of pressurizedgas in under 250 milliseconds.

In some embodiments, the personal protection apparatus for preventing orsubstantially reducing injury to a wearer of said apparatus experiencinga fall or similar event, the personal protection apparatus comprises:

a wearable support structure associated with an inflatable apparatus,said inflatable apparatus comprising:

-   -   a toroid-shaped outer containment with a discontinuous gap        forming two ends of said toroid-shaped outer containment, with a        midpoint defined as halfway between said two ends, which is on        the opposite side of the toroid-shaped outer containment from        said discontinuous gap, said toroid-shaped outer containment        comprising a puncture-resistant, low-elasticity, flexible        material inflatable to a substantially fixed volume;    -   eight inner bladders comprising an elastic material, said eight        inner bladders approximately equally distributed to fill said        toroid-shaped outer containment;    -   an inflator connected to each said inner bladder configured to        inflate each said inner bladder with a volume of pressurized gas        in under 250 milliseconds; and    -   an activation mechanism system sensing accelerations and in        response to a vertically downward component of acceleration        exceeding a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period        of time, said activation mechanism system initiates an inflation        sequence activating each said inflator to generate a volume of        pressurized gas into said eight inner bladders, said eight inner        bladders expanding to said substantially fixed volume of said        toroid-shaped outer containment, wherein said inflation sequence        progresses from an area surrounding said midpoint towards said        two ends in a specific, timed progression, completing said        inflation sequence in less than 750 milliseconds.

In some embodiments, the activation mechanism system comprises:

an directional accelerometer sensing accelerations,

an electrical connection to said inflators configured to activate saidinflators in response to a vertically downward component of accelerationexceeding a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time,and

an independent and portable power source configured to provide power tosaid activation mechanism system.

In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold is a verticallydownward component of acceleration of at least 30 ft/sec² for apredetermined period of time of at least 200 milliseconds and saidinitiated inflation sequence beginning at said threshold with inflationin the area centered about the midpoint, and progressing in pairs oftwo, symmetrically to the right and left about the midpoint, followed inless than 100 millisecond successions by the next pairs of two innerbladders progressing toward said ends, wherein said inflation sequenceis designed to move the wearer's limbs ergonomically forward as thetoroid-shaped outer containment progresses to full inflation.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated andin either a rolled or folded condition, and in response to a verticallydownward component of acceleration exceeding a predetermined thresholdfor a predetermined period of time, said activation mechanism systeminitiates an inflation sequence activating each said inflator togenerate a volume of pressurized gas into each said inner bladder, saideight inner bladders collectively expanding to fill said substantiallyfixed volume of said toroid-shaped outer containment, thereby inflatingsaid inflatable apparatus to an inflated and either unrolled or unfoldedcondition.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus substantially centers thewearer in said inflated toroid-shaped outer containment away frompotentially harmful structures.

In some embodiments, the toroid-shaped outer containment expands to saidsubstantially fixed volume, at which point increased pressure does notsubstantially increase said substantially fixed volume of saidtoroid-shaped outer containment until a yield point of saidlow-elasticity flexible material is reached.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated andin either a rolled or folded condition, said wearable support structureis contoured and arranged to provide the wearer with unobstructedfreedom of movement, said wearable support structure further comprisesan elastic portion, a plurality of back support staves providing lumbarback support to minimize back fatigue for the wearer, and elasticshoulder straps or crotch straps to secure said wearable supportstructure.

In some embodiments, a cosmetic, breakaway outer layer covers saidtoroid-shaped outer containment in its initial uninflated and eitherrolled or folded condition.

The disclosed subject matter relates to an inflatable fall arrest andfall protection safety apparatus that uses an instantly inflatedinflatable apparatus, to prevent the worker's upper body and head frompassing between pipes or structural elements, thereby preventinginjuries in a wide variety of circumstances and settings. How the deviceis worn, the trigger mechanism, how it deploys and the size and shape ofthe instant inflatable apparatus vary in different embodiments. Theinflatable apparatus can be inflated by any inflation device, forexample, a pressurized inflator, which may be triggered by a directionalaccelerometer that is tailored to the application. The trigger mechanismmay be oriented by gravity to prevent unintended deployment of any ofthe various inflatable apparatus protection devices.

In some embodiments, the inflatable fall arrest and fall protectionsafety device may be designed to deploy in an ergonomic manner thatcauses the orientation of a user's limbs or posture to provide for thebest protection possible for the application.

Some embodiments include a discontinuous gap in the inflatable apparatusthat is positioned at the front and center of the person to provide anunobstructed source of air for breathing after the deployment of theinflatable apparatus.

In some embodiments, the inflatable fall arrest and fall protectionsafety device envelops the person, preventing his upper body and headfrom passing between pipes or structural elements and tending to centerthe person within an inflatable apparatus cocoon, cushioning the personfrom impact, and intrinsically guiding the head and body away fromharmful objects.

Existing inflatable apparatus deployment technology may be used in someembodiments. Some embodiments may use dependable, easily adjustedfastening system that allows for comfortable fit for different bodytypes, for example, hook and loop fastener. The material of theinflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety device may vary indifferent embodiments depending on the requirements of a givenapplication.

Different embodiments have different applications, for example, usersworking at dangerous heights, or any users that might have need ordesire to cushion themselves from a fall.

These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well asadditional novel features, will be apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensivedescription of the subject matter, but rather to provide a shortoverview of some of the subject matter's functionality. Other systems,methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent toone with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGURES anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,methods, features and advantages that are included within thisdescription, be within the scope of any claims filed later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subjectmatter will be set forth in any claims that are filed later. Thedisclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode ofuse, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understoodby reference to the following detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus in the un-inflated condition, illustrating that theun-deployed belt does not encumber the wearer to any appreciable extent.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus in the un-inflated condition.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus in the uninflated condition.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus, illustrating how the personal protection apparatus woulddeploy when the wearer falls.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus in the inflated condition.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the personal protection apparatus in theuninflated condition showing internal components inside the personalprotection apparatus.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view and a top view of the personal protectionapparatus also showing internal components.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the personalprotection apparatus deployed after inflation to center the wearer andthe restraining force that would be imposed by a lanyard.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the personal protectionapparatus, in use, centering and protecting the wearer during a fall.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the uninflated and unfoldedtoroid-shaped outer containment illustrating the cross-sectional area ofthe space inside of the containment and the construction of the upperand lower material patterns to form the toroid when attached to theupper and lower edges of the belt.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section view through the toroid-shaped outercontainment uninflated and unfolded illustrating the construction of thecontainment and the inflated circular configuration.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of an outer containment pattern for upperand lower sections of the outer containment.

In the FIGURES, like elements should be understood to represent likeelements, even though reference labels are omitted on some instances ofa repeated element, for simplicity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the samereference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designatethe same components.

The inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safety apparatus maygenerally be an inflatable apparatus, cushioning, fall arrest and fallprotection system that centers the worker and prevents a worker fromfalling through gaps between pipes on pipe racks during construction,blasting, scraping, painting or other maintenance activities. Similarlyit can prevent falling through gaps in any structure or scaffold duringconstruction or maintenance, as applicable. When worn with aconventional full body harness & lanyards, the inflatable fall arrestand fall protection safety apparatus may further protect the worker withan inflatable apparatus cushion that inflates instantly to protect theworker. The wearer may be a person or an animal.

FIG. 1 shows a wearer 100 wearing one embodiment of a personalprotection apparatus 102 working on pipes 104 on a piperack. There is agap 106 between pipes 104 that the wearer 100 has a risk of fallingthrough.

The personal protection apparatus and/or Velcro-adjustable belt may comein 4 sizes to accommodate nominal waist sizes from 30 inches to 50inches. The personal protection apparatus may have an adjustable beltmade of a comfortable canvas fabric, 8½″ wide in the back, tapered to 6″in the front, secured with 3 inches by 6 inches of Velcro, with a 5 or 7inch (depending on the belt size) elastic panel for comfort and to allowthe wearer to comfortably bend over while wearing the belt.

The small size may have a belt length of 40 inches (L=40″), toroidcontainment 32 inches long (LT=32″), elastic 5 inches long (LE=5″) andVelcro 3 inches long (Lv=3″) and with 8 inches of Velcro wool on theinside of the belt, for 30-34 inch nominal waists.

The medium size may have a belt length of 44 inches (L=44″), toroidcontainment 36 inches long (LT=36″), elastic 5 inches long (LE=5″) andVelcro 3 inches long (Lv=3″) and with 8 inches of Velcro wool on theinside of the belt, for 34-38 inch nominal waists.

The large size may have a belt length of 54 inches (L=50″) toroidcontainment 40 inches long (LT=40″), elastic 7 inches long (LE=7″) andVelcro 3 inches long (Lv=3″) and with 10 inches of Velcro wool on theinside of the belt, for 38-44 inch nominal waists.

The extra-large size may have a belt length of 56 inches (L=56″) toroidcontainment 46 inches long (LT=46″), elastic 7 inches long (LE=7″) andVelcro 3 inches long (Lv=3″) and with 10 inches of Velcro wool on theinside of the belt for 44-50 inch nominal waists.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of wearer 100 wearing a personal protectionapparatus 102 with a wearable support structure 108.

As shown in FIG. 3, the personal protection apparatus 102 may becomprised of an inflatable apparatus 110 worn over the wearable supportstructure 108. In other embodiments, the inflatable apparatus 110 may beintegrated with the wearable support structure 108. The wearable supportstructure 108 may be a Velcro-adjustable belt.

FIG. 4 shows a wearer 100 starting to fall through gap 106. In oneembodiment, when the personal protection apparatus 102 senses avertically downward component of acceleration exceeding a predeterminedthreshold, the personal protection apparatus 102 inflates to an inflatedcondition.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of wearer 100 wearing the personal protectionapparatus 102 in an inflated condition. An outer containment 112comprises a low-elasticity flexible material 120. A low-elasticityflexible material 120 may be Dacron, ballistic nylon, Kevlar, or anotherlow-elasticity flexible material.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the personal protection apparatus 102.The outer containment 112 is inflatable to a substantially fixed volume134. The inner bladders 114 are inside of the outer containment 112. Theinner bladders 114 comprises an elastic material 122, such as rubber,latex, polychloroprene, or another elastic material. An inflator 116 isconnected to the inner bladder 114 configured to inflate the innerbladder 114 with a volume of pressurized gas. An activation mechanismsystem 118 senses accelerations and in response to a vertically downwardcomponent of acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold for apredetermined period of time, the activation mechanism system 118 viaelectrical connection 156 activates the inflator 116 to generate avolume of pressurized gas into the inner bladder 114, which expands tothe substantially fixed volume 134 of the outer containment 112.

The volume of pressurized gas delivered to the inner bladder contains anamount of gas molecules. This amount of gas molecules is sealed into theinner bladder. The combined volume of the gas sealed into the eightelastic inner bladders being substantially fixed by the outercontainment may cause an increase in the internal pressure of the innerbladder. However, the amount of gas molecules contained in each innerbladder will remain substantially constant.

When the outer containment 112 expands to its substantially fixed volume134, any more increased pressure does not substantially increase thesubstantially fixed volume 134 of the outer containment 112 until ayield point of the low-elasticity flexible material 120 is reached.

In some embodiments, the wearable support structure 108 is contoured andarranged to provide the wearer 100 with unobstructed freedom ofmovement. The wearable support structure 108 may include an elasticportion 124, a plurality of back support staves 128 providing lumbarback support to minimize back fatigue for the wearer, and shoulderstraps 130 or crotch straps 132 to secure the wearable support structure108.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the personal protection apparatus 102. Inthis figure, the inner bladders 114 are uninflated and in either arolled or folded condition. A cosmetic cover 160 covers the folded,uninflated outer containment 112.

FIG. 8 shows the inner bladders expanding to the substantially fixedvolume 134 of outer containment 112. The outer containment 112 on thesides contacting the pipes 104 have a sufficient pressure to stop thefall. The figure illustrates the horizontal force 154 that a lanyard 136exerts on a wearer as it arrests his fall. The personal protectionapparatus 102 stops the wearer before his head passes through the gap inthe pipes 104 or structure and the gas cushion centers the worker safelybetween potentially harmful structures.

FIG. 9 shows a fall where the wearer, small man, is facing perpendicularto the pipes 104, presenting the smallest dimension possible, thereforeconsidered critical worst case. Even in this case, the wearer is stillprotected from a fall.

FIG. 10 shows a fabric assembly of the outer containment 112 of thepersonal protection apparatus 102, optionally comprising a wearablesupport structure 108. When the personal protection apparatus 102 isuninflated and unfolded, the inner bladders 114 expands the outercontainment 112 to form a toroidal shape. The toroid-shaped outercontainment 112 has a discontinuous gap 138 that forms two ends 140 ofthe toroid-shaped outer containment. A midpoint 142 is defined ashalfway between the two ends 140, which is on the opposite side of thetoroid-shaped outer containment 112 from the discontinuous gap 138. Thetoroid-shaped outer containment 112 may be comprised of apuncture-resistant, low-elasticity, flexible material inflatable to asubstantially fixed volume 144 such as Dacron, ballistic nylon, Kevlar,or another puncture-resistant, low-elasticity, flexible material.

FIG. 11 shows a cross section view through the toroid-shaped outercontainment uninflated and unfolded showing connection the belt 108, thesewn seam 158 where the upper and lower portions of the fabric outercontainment are joined, and the circular cross section of the toroidthat results from inflation. Because the upper and lower portions may becomprised of two materials, there may be a sewn seam 158 that connectsthe two materials together.

FIG. 12 shows the pattern for the upper and lower fabric outercontainment 112. The upper low-elasticity flexible material 146 may beDacron or another low-elasticity flexible material, and the lowerlow-elasticity flexible material 148 may be ballistic nylon or anotherlow-elasticity flexible material.

One embodiment of the inflatable fall arrest and fall protection safetyapparatus may include one or more wearable support structures, forexample one belt, which may be any width, for example seven inches wide,nine inches wide, etc. The belt is generally made of a sturdy material,for example Dacron, canvas, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester,synthetic material, leather, cotton, nylon, aramids, carbon, acombination of materials, etc. In different embodiments the belt may besecured by different methods, for example a hook and loop fastener,clamp, clasp, hook and eye, latch, buckle, etc. In one embodiment, thebelt is secured by an approximately six-inch wide hook and loop fastenerin the front of the belt, with an overlap of at least approximatelythree inches, but other embodiments may utilize different widths offastener, for example nine inches, and different lengths of overlap. Insome embodiments, the belt may be worn similarly to the industrystandard back brace for workers that lift in storerooms as a regularpart of their job or the buoyancy compensation device (BCD) belt used byscuba divers. Some embodiments may use additional methods to secure thebelt, for example, one or more shoulder straps, one or more crotchstraps, etc.

In different embodiments the belt may come in different sizes, forexample small, medium, large, extra-large etc. In some embodiments thebelt may come in any number of different lengths to accommodate thewaist size of the user and the need of the application, for example,approximately 40 inches, approximately 44 inches, approximately 50inches, approximately 56 inches, etc. In some embodiments the fastenermay vary in type and size depending on the size of the user and the needof the application, for example if using a hook and loop fastener, thefastener may vary in length, for example 8 inches, 10 inches, etc. Insome embodiments the belt is fully adjustable. While some embodimentsmay utilize a belt, other wearable support structures may be used, forexample a pack, a harness, etc.

In some embodiments, one or more inflatable apparatus are attached tothe wearable support structure, and the inflatable apparatus aregenerally made of a tough, heavy duty, puncture resistant material. Insome embodiments for example, the outer containment may be made of forexample polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, synthetic material,leather, cotton, nylon, aramids, carbon, a combination of materials,etc. In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus is deployed by one ormore inflators which may be housed anywhere on the wearable supportstructure, for example, positioned symmetrically around the middle ofthe wearable support structure, or in some embodiments may be arrangedso that the inflator is in the center of the back of the user when worn.The inflatable apparatus in some embodiments generally has a directionalinertia activated detection device, such as but not limited to adirectional accelerometer, while other embodiments may include multipledirectional inertia activated detection devices. The accelerometer maygenerally activate an inflation mechanism system, activating inflators,and may be housed anywhere on the wearable support structure, forexample, symmetrically about the middle. In some embodiments, theinflatable fall arrest and fall protection apparatus can be worn over aconventional full body harness & lanyards, or other fall arrest systemsand tools as needed. These embodiments of the inflatable fall arrest andfall protection system will not interfere with the function ofconventional full body harness & lanyards or other fall arrest systemsand can be worn simultaneously providing an additional, independent,protection system.

In some embodiments, the accelerometer is designed such that anyacceleration in a particular area and/or in a particular direction willinitiate deployment of the inflatable apparatus. For example, in oneembodiment, the accelerometer responds to any motion of the approximatecenter of gravity of the user (for example, small of the back), at adownward acceleration greater than 30 feet/second̂2. In some embodimentsthe inflatable apparatus inflates to encircle the user, similar to aninner tube, while in other embodiments the inflatable apparatus inflatesto form different shapes and cover different aspects of the user as isnecessary to perform a given function based on the application. In theembodiments in which the inflatable apparatus inflates to encircle theuser, when the user falls and the inflatable apparatus is compressedbetween pipes, structures or other obstacles, it envelops the worker,leaving a gap at the front to allow breathing to be unimpeded as theinflatable apparatus cushion protects the worker. In these embodiments,the size of the potential gap that the user could fall through willdetermine the necessary diameter of the inflatable apparatus. Forexample, an inflated inflatable apparatus diameter of 18 inches used asa belt will bring an average user's minimum compressed dimension in theinflated condition to about 44 inches (varies with the size and weightof the individual) and would prevent a user from falling through pipesor structure with a spacing or gap of less than 36 inches, which islarger than the largest gap discovered on pipe racks in the field (32inches). Some embodiments use different inflated inflatable apparatusdiameters for different sized gaps and/or different size users and/ordifferent applications.

In some embodiments, the inflatable apparatus stops the user before theuser's head and upper body falls through the gap between pipes orstructures and tends to center the user's head and body, thus preventingpotential head injuries. It further protects the user from other bodilyinjury by minimizing potential body contact with other obstacles orstructural hazards. The inflatable fall arrest and fall protectionapparatus also allows the user unlimited mobility and access when it isworn in the folded and uninflated condition. A standard, secure scaffoldtube safety railing system may be built around the pipe rack or otherstructural work area to allow the inflatable fall arrest and fallprotection safety apparatus to provide superior fall protection withuntethered access to the entire work area.

The inflatable fall arrest and protection safety apparatus is easilyworn alone where there are regularly spaced gaps, like on pipe racks andwhen building regular structures, floor or ceiling joists, concreteconstruction with consistent gaps and a standard safety railing systemsurrounds that work area. It provides superior untethered access tothese worksites, and protection that intrinsically centers the workerbetween dangerous structures in the event of a fall.

This provides construction supervisors or other management anothereffective fall arrest and fall protection alternative that providessuperior protection in certain circumstances and improves protection incircumstances where it is worn in combination with other fall arrestsystems, for example a full body harness.

Some embodiments include a discontinuous gap in the inflatable apparatusthat is positioned at the front and center of the user to provide anunobstructed source of air for breathing after the deployment of theinflatable apparatus.

In some embodiments, the inflation begins at the center of the back andinflates from the back to the front of the person in a forward movinginflation sequence that will push the arms forward and upwards towardthe chest, resulting in the arms being crossed over the chest in mostinstances. The inflation in other embodiments may start at otherlocations along the wearable support structure, for example the frontthe side, etc. to achieve different affects on the body and/or createimproved cushioning and/or protection from a fall. Additionally, someembodiments may have multiple points of inflation to allow for morerapid inflation and/or inflation from multiple directions at once. Theinflation in some embodiments further includes an overlap in the frontto fully protect from any impact. The inflation of some embodimentsextends below the center of the wearable support structure covering thehips and knees, as well as above the center of the wearable supportstructure enveloping the head. Other embodiments may extend in anynumber of different directions to any number of distances as necessaryto protect the user. The thickness of the inflated apparatus varies indifferent embodiments, and some embodiments include multiple inflatableapparatus, which may each have a different thickness depending on whatis necessary to provide adequate protection for a given user in a givensituation for a given type of fall, etc.

Multiple staves may be built into the back of the belt to support thelumbar spine, relieving stress on the lower back, similar to the backbraces worn by workers when heavy lifting is part of their job (likethose at Home depot, lumber yards and Lowes). Wearing The Safety Cloud™during the working day results in less back fatigue, leaving workersmore refreshed after a days work while helping to avoid back injuriesthat could prevent the workers from doing their jobs.

The Safety Cloud™ may be fitted with leg straps and shoulder straps thatare adjustable where they attach in the front. The straps secure theworker to The Safety Cloud™ to ensure that it remains positioned toprovide maximum protection for the worker when it stops a fall.

The belt provides a comfortable foundation for an inflatable toroidshaped (doughnut shaped), fall preventor that may be worn folded andun-inflated. The Safety Cloud™ inflates, using inflatable apparatustechnology, if a worker begins to fall. An embodiment comprises eightindividual inner bladders inflated inside of a tough outer containmentcover. The inflated cushion may be sized to prevent any worker fromfalling between regularly spaced structures like pipes on pipe racks,industrial support structures, floor or roofing joists in residentialconstruction, scaffolds, rebar in high rise concrete construction or anyother elevated structures that have regular gaps up to approximately 36inches and which are purposefully provided with a railing system orwalls surrounding the work area.

Attached to the belt may be a folded, dimensionally stable, tough outercontainment sheath made of Dacron and ballistic Nylon to preventpuncture and configured to provide a Protective Cloud™ in the event of afall. The containment fabric may be puncture resistant to preventpuncturing of any of the contained inner bladders by possibly sharp orprotruding items such as welding rods or rebar that might be encounteredas The Safety Cloud™ stops a fall on an industrial site in the event ofa fall. One embodiment forms a toroid around the worker with adiscontinuous gap located at the front of the toroid, forming the twoends where the belt attaches when you put it on.

The Safety Cloud™ may inflate to an approximate diameter of 18 inchesand encircle the worker, similar to an inner tube contained in aninelastic cover similar to the recreational tubes, designed to be towedbehind a ski boat, but with a discontinuous gap at the front. When TheSafety Cloud™ is compressed between pipes or structure, it may envelopthe worker, leaving a gap at the front to allow breathing to beunimpeded as the inflatable apparatus cushion protects the worker. Wheninflated, The Safety Cloud™ may bring its minimum compressed dimensionin the inflated condition to about 44 inches (varies with the size andweight of the individual). The containment fabric may be dimensionallystable providing firm inelastic support when inflated, ensuring that theworker is supported safely, for as long as it takes for assistance toarrive to get him up and on his feet again. The Safety Cloud™ therebyconfidently prevents a worker from falling through pipes or structurewith a spacing or gap of less than 36 inches. The largest gap observedon pipe racks in the field is typically 32 inches. Special orders couldpossibly be made for larger spaces or gaps if required.

In some embodiments, inflation is provided by 8 individual,electronically activated, inflators; filling 8 individual, equallysized, approximately 50 liter, custom molded elastic bladders, allattached to the belt inside of the dimensionally stable toriodalcontainment. The eight bladders are evenly distributed along the belt,centered on the mid point at the back of the belt. The eight, evenlydistributed, inner bladders provide redundancy in the event that any oneof the bladders is punctured or fails to fill for any reason, providingfall prevention for gaps up to 36″ with only 7 of the 8 bladdersinflated within the containment, ensuring the safety of the worker. Theelastic gas bladders are a proprietary design and each bladder isinflated by an individual, electronically activated, inflator.

In some embodiments, the activation mechanism system may include adirectional accelerometer, electrical connections to each of the 8inflators, a transponder to communicate the location of The SafetyCloud™ when it is activated and a battery to power the system. Theactivation mechanism system may be programmed to generate specificallysequenced electronic signals, triggered by exceeding threshold values ofacceleration and time, to activate the inflators, designed andprogrammed to provide true fall prevention. The accelerometer may belocated in the center of the back of the belt, at the small of theworker's back, at the approximate center of gravity of a person. Thetrigger mechanism is oriented by gravity and programmed with a thresholdchosen to prevent unintended deployment. The activation mechanism systemmay be programmed for a threshold of motion to the approximate center ofgravity of the worker (small of the back), of downward accelerationgreater than 30 ft/second2 for approx 24 inches traveled. This thresholdinitiates the inflation sequence to inflate The Safety Cloud™. Inflationmay begin at the threshold point with the four inner bladders located atthe back of the belt and is followed with sequential inflations of leftand right pairs of two inner bladders progressing forward toward theends of the toriodal outer containment. The initiation sequence andinflation time may be designed to result in total inflation beingcompleted before the worker has fallen more that 32 inches.

In some embodiments, talcum powder or cornstarch may be applied insideand outside of the bladders to minimize sticking during inflation,contributing to redistribution of bladders within the containment in theevent that there are only 7 inflated. The bladders may be molded withnecks that fit snuggly over the inflators and are approximately,equally, spaced around the belt, inside of the toroidal containmentcover. Each of the 8 bladders may be evacuated of all gas, folded in azig zag pattern and secured to its inflator to minimize the space thatthey take up. The folded bladders may be held in position with lightadhesive or film for a reliable, consistent deployment arrangement wheninflating the containment toroid.

In some embodiments, the containment toroid fabric is folded in a veryspecific (origami style) pattern, over the directional accelerometer,inflators and bladders to assure reliably smooth, consistent deploymentby the internal inflating bladders. When folded onto the belt in thenormal, un-inflated condition, the belt has a thickness of approximately1¾ inches.

In some embodiments, the folded containment is covered by a cosmetic,breakaway, fabric cover, providing a sleek appearance, keeping the beltfrom interfering with any work activities, preventing abrasion to thecontainment fabric and keeping dirt out of the internal components ofThe Safety Cloud™ belt.

The critical advantage of The Safety Cloud™ is that it provides aProtective Cloud™ inflatable apparatus type cushion that tends to centerthe head and body while it stops a worker's fall before his head andupper body go through the gap between pipes or structure, thuspreventing potential head injuries and minimizing injuries to the body.

Conventional full body harness & lanyards does not do this. The lanyardstypically extends about 6 feet in arresting the workers fall, allowinghis torso and head to pass between the pipes or structure as his fall isarrested. The full body harness with lanyards actually applies ahorizontal component to the restraining force, which pulls the workertoward the pipe or structure as it arrests his fall. The lanyard systemrequires retracing steps, back to the overhead attachment point, andreattachment to the next overhead lanyards attachment point. The SafetyCloud™ may also eliminates the need for installing an extensive array ofoverhead safety wires to provide for the attachment of full body harnesslanyards above a work site.

Because The Safety Cloud™ provides a gas cushion that envelops andcenters the worker as he falls, while preventing his head and upper bodyfrom passing between the pipes or structure, it further protects theworker from other bodily injury by minimizing potential body contactwith structural hazards. The Safety Cloud™ may also allows the workerunlimited mobility and access to his entire work site when it is worn.The erection of a secure scaffold tube safety railing system around thepipe rack or work area, creating a safety pen, allowing The SafetyCloud™ to provide superior fall prevention with un-tethered access tothe entire work area.

The Safety Cloud™ may be easily worn where there are regularly spacedgaps, like on pipe racks and when building regular structures with asimple safety railing system surrounding that work area. It may provideun-tethered access to these worksites, and protection that intrinsicallycenters the worker between dangerous structures in the event of a fall.

In other embodiments, the inflatable apparatus is attached via thewearable support structure, straps, hooks or otherwise to an objectrather than a user to protect the object.

In this description, the terms personal protection apparatus, inflatablefall arrest and fall protection safety apparatus, The Safety Cloud™belt, and The Safety Cloud™ may be used interchangeably.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, the specific features of one embodimentshould not be attributed to other embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. No single embodiment is representative of all aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. Moreover, variations and modificationstherefrom exist. For example, the disclosed subject matter describedherein may comprise other components. Various additives may also be usedto further enhance one or more properties. In some embodiments, thedisclosed subject matter is substantially free of any additive notspecifically enumerated herein. Some embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter described herein consist of or consist essentially of theenumerated components. In addition, some embodiments of the methodsdescribed herein consist of or consist essentially of the enumeratedsteps. The claims to be appended later intend to cover all suchvariations and modifications as falling within the scope of thedisclosed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal protection apparatus for preventing orsubstantially reducing injury to a wearer of said apparatus experiencinga fall or similar event, the personal protection apparatus comprising: awearable support structure associated with an inflatable apparatus, saidinflatable apparatus comprising: an outer containment comprising alow-elasticity flexible material, said outer containment inflatable to asubstantially fixed volume, an inner bladder inside of said outercontainment, said inner bladder comprising an elastic materialconfigured to receive a volume of pressurized gas, an inflator connectedto said inner bladder configured to inflate said inner bladder with saidvolume of pressurized gas, and an activation mechanism system sensingaccelerations and in response to a vertically downward component ofacceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold for a predeterminedperiod of time, said activation mechanism system activates said inflatorto generate said volume of pressurized gas into said inner bladder, saidinner bladder expanding to said substantially fixed volume of said outercontainment.
 2. The personal protection apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid activation mechanism system comprises: an directional accelerometersensing accelerations, an electrical connection to said inflatorconfigured to activate said inflator in response to a verticallydownward component of acceleration exceeding a predetermined thresholdfor a predetermined period of time, and an independent and portablepower source configured to provide power to said activation mechanismsystem.
 3. The personal protection apparatus of claim 1, said inflatableapparatus comprising a plurality of inner bladders, said activationmechanism system configured to inflate said plurality of inner bladdersin a specific and timed progression.
 4. The personal protectionapparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer containment expands to saidsubstantially fixed volume, at which point increased pressure does notsubstantially increase said substantially fixed volume of said outercontainment until a yield point of said low-elasticity flexible materialis reached.
 5. The personal protection apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid low-elasticity flexible material of said outer containment ispuncture-resistant.
 6. The personal protection apparatus of claim 1,wherein said inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated and in either arolled or folded condition, and in response to a vertically downwardcomponent of acceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold for apredetermined period of time, said activation mechanism system activatessaid inflator to generate a volume of pressurized gas into said innerbladder, said inner bladder expanding to said substantially fixed volumeof said outer containment, thereby inflating said inflatable apparatusto an inflated and either unrolled or unfolded condition.
 7. Thepersonal protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressurized gasis sealed inside said inner bladder after inflation.
 8. The personalprotection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activation mechanismsystem is associated with a transponder that communicates a position ofsaid personal protection apparatus.
 9. The personal protection apparatusof claim 5, wherein said inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated andin either a rolled or folded condition, said wearable support structureand said associated inflatable apparatus is contoured and arranged toprovide the wearer with unobstructed freedom of movement, said wearablesupport structure further comprising an elastic portion, a plurality ofback support staves providing lumbar back support to minimize backfatigue for the wearer, and shoulder straps or crotch straps to securesaid wearable support structure.
 10. The personal protection apparatusof claim 1, wherein said inflator is one or more of the following: acompressed gas inflator; an inflator comprising a cartridge filled witha plurality of compounds, when mixed, said plurality of compoundsgenerates gas; or a solid-propellant inflator.
 11. The personalprotection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflator generates saidvolume of pressurized gas in under 250 milliseconds.
 12. A personalprotection apparatus for preventing or substantially reducing injury toa wearer of said apparatus experiencing a fall or similar event, thepersonal protection apparatus comprising: a wearable support structureassociated with an inflatable apparatus, said inflatable apparatuscomprising: a toroid-shaped outer containment with a discontinuous gapforming two ends of said toroid-shaped outer containment, with amidpoint defined as halfway between said two ends, which is on theopposite side of the toroid-shaped outer containment from saiddiscontinuous gap, said toroid-shaped outer containment comprising apuncture-resistant, low-elasticity, flexible material inflatable to asubstantially fixed volume; eight inner bladders comprising an elasticmaterial, said eight inner bladders approximately equally distributed tofill said toroid-shaped outer containment; an inflator connected to eachsaid inner bladder configured to inflate each said inner bladder with avolume of pressurized gas in under 250 milliseconds; and an activationmechanism system sensing accelerations and in response to a verticallydownward component of acceleration exceeding a predetermined thresholdfor a predetermined period of time, said activation mechanism systeminitiates an inflation sequence activating each said inflator togenerate a volume of pressurized gas into said eight inner bladders,said eight inner bladders expanding to said substantially fixed volumeof said toroid-shaped outer containment, wherein said inflation sequenceprogresses from an area surrounding said midpoint towards said two endsin a specific, timed progression, completing said inflation sequence inless than 750 milliseconds.
 13. The personal protection apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein said activation mechanism system comprises: andirectional accelerometer sensing accelerations, an electricalconnection to said inflators configured to activate said inflators inresponse to a vertically downward component of acceleration exceeding apredetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time, and anindependent and portable power source configured to provide power tosaid activation mechanism system.
 14. The personal protection apparatusof claim 12, wherein said predetermined threshold is a verticallydownward component of acceleration of at least 30 ft/sec² for apredetermined period of time of at least 200 milliseconds and saidinitiated inflation sequence beginning at said threshold with inflationin the area centered about the midpoint, and progressing in pairs oftwo, symmetrically to the right and left about the midpoint, followed inless than 100 millisecond successions by the next pairs of two innerbladders progressing toward said ends, wherein said inflation sequenceis designed to move the wearer's limbs ergonomically forward as thetoroid-shaped outer containment progresses to full inflation.
 15. Thepersonal protection apparatus of claim 12, wherein said inflatableapparatus, initially uninflated and in either a rolled or foldedcondition, and in response to a vertically downward component ofacceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold for a predeterminedperiod of time, said activation mechanism system initiates an inflationsequence activating each said inflator to generate a volume ofpressurized gas into each said inner bladder, said eight inner bladderscollectively expanding to fill said substantially fixed volume of saidtoroid-shaped outer containment, thereby inflating said inflatableapparatus to an inflated and either unrolled or unfolded condition. 16.The personal protection apparatus of claim 12, wherein said inflatableapparatus substantially centers the wearer in said inflatedtoroid-shaped outer containment away from potentially harmfulstructures.
 17. The personal protection apparatus of claim 12, whereinsaid toroid-shaped outer containment expands to said substantially fixedvolume, at which point increased pressure does not substantiallyincrease said substantially fixed volume of said toroid-shaped outercontainment until a yield point of said low-elasticity flexible materialis reached.
 18. The personal protection apparatus of claim 12, whereinsaid inflatable apparatus, initially uninflated and in either a rolledor folded condition, said wearable support structure and said associatedinflatable apparatus is contoured and arranged to provide the wearerwith unobstructed freedom of movement, said wearable support structurefurther comprises an elastic portion, a plurality of back support stavesproviding lumbar back support to minimize back fatigue for the wearer,and elastic shoulder straps or crotch straps to secure said wearablesupport structure.
 19. The personal protection apparatus of claim 12,wherein a cosmetic, breakaway outer layer covers said toroid-shapedouter containment in its initial uninflated and either rolled or foldedcondition.